Coachella Valley Weekly - May 21 to May 27, 2020 Vol. 9 No. 10

coachellavalleyweekly.com • May 21 to May 27, 2020

Valley Chambers

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Casinos Reopening

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Fitz & Friends

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Sordid Lives

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Vol.9 No.10

Cheeky’s

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

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DESERT AIDS PROJECT TREATS COVID-19 PATIENTS DURING CRISIS

Coachella Valley Weekly (760) 501-6228

publisher@coachellavalleyweekly.com coachellavalleyweekly.com facebook.com/cvweekly twitter.com/cvweekly1 Publisher & Editor Tracy Dietlin Art Director Robert Chance Sales Team Kirby Club Crawler Nightlife Editor Phil Lacombe Head Music Writer Noe Gutierrez Head Feature Writer Crystal Harrell Feature Writers Lisa Morgan, Rich Henrich, Heidi Simmons, Tricia Witkower, Jason Hall, Esther Sanchez Writers/Contributors: Robin Simmons, Rick Riozza, Eleni P. Austin, Craig Michaels, Janet McAfee, Bronwyn Ison, Haddon Libby, Sam DiGiovanna, Dale Gribow, Denise Ortuno Neil, Rob Brezny, Dr. Peter Kadile, Dee Jae Cox, Angela Romeo, Aaron Ramson, Lynne Tucker, Aimee Mosco, Michelle Anne Rizzio, Ruth Hill, Madeline Zuckerman Photographers Robert Chance, Laura Hunt Little, Chris Miller, Iris Hall, Esther Sanchez Videographer Kurt Schawacker Website Editor Bobby Taffolla Distribution Phil Lacombe, William Westley

CONTENTS Desert AIDS Project ................................. 3 Desert Chambers of Commerce.............. 5 Local Casinos Reopening......................... 6 Heather Ramirez - Sharespark Media..... 6 Travel Tips 4 U ........................................... 8 Jimi Fitz & Friends...................................... 10 VIRTUAL VIEWING...................................... 11 Consider This - Holsapple & Stamey..... 12 Safety Tips .............................................. 13 Screeners ............................................... 14

Breaking The 4th Wall - Sordid Lives....... 15 Pet Place .................................................... 16 The Vino Voice ....................................... 18 Good Grub - Cheeky's............................. 18 Brewtality ................................................. 19 Haddon Libby ........................................ 20 Dale Gribow ........................................... 20 Mind, Body & Spirit ................................ 21 Free Will Astrology................................. 21

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he Coachella Valley continues to persevere through the ongoing battle against the spread of the coronavirus, slowly resuming operations of previously closed businesses and opening more testing facilities. One such clinic that has been treating patients stricken with COVID-19 is the Palm Springs-based Desert AIDS Project.

Established in 1984, the Desert AIDS Project (DAP) is a Federally Qualified Health Center that offers a combination of medical, dental, counseling, and social services, in addition to housing other health and wellness services like support groups, alternative therapies, and an in-house pharmacy and lab.

The COVID-19 Triage Clinic was opened in March of this year as an influx of cases began spreading across the country. The clinic now sees on average of 40 COVID-related appointments/treatments on a daily basis.

“I remind our team that we were made for these times. When DAP was founded, there were no HIV medications for over a decade, yet through compassion, creativity and commitment, we saved lives. Now is the time to pay all those lessons forward and open our doors and hearts wider,” stated DAP CEO David Brinkman.

Brinkman contracted the virus and has been suffering symptoms of COVID-19 for eight weeks and counting, despite his strong immune system. He had already been working from his home office for a while when he got his test results 48 hours after taking a test.

Brinkman initially thought the fatigue he was experiencing was from exhaustion, and the tightness in his chest from anxiety.

The CEO’s focus is now on decreasing the loss of lives in the desert community by decreasing the number of new positive cases.

The clinic is prepared to continue fighting the coronavirus and expand care, but Brinkman insists that it is going to take community support.

“It’s in the very DNA of the DAP to respond quickly to a public health crisis using science and medicine to create a humanitarian response. We are using our tested roadmaps from the HIV and HCV epidemics to respond to COVID-19,” said Brinkman.

Dr. Christopher Foltz is an infectious disease physician who started and leads the COVID-19 Triage Clinic at DAP. He has been on staff since 2007, and while the medical community put an emphasis on hospitals and how to prepare them as the outbreak began, there was little planning about how the outpatient world and places like DAP would contribute.

“That’s how it all came together. Asking,

how can we provide this much needed service to offload our hospitals, but also continue to operate our normal clinics with little or no interruption?” explained Foltz.

The DAP is now testing, treating, following up with hospitalized COVID patients, and providing urgent care to those in quarantine.

The handling of treatment for someone who tests positive for the virus involves staying in touch with the patient.

The protocol is as follows: After someone tests positive for COVID-19 with a nasal swab, they usually get the full results in about 48 hours. The DAP calls the patient right away with the news and they do a symptom assessment, which gives an indication as to how the patient is doing.

If they are stable or improving, home care and over-the-counter medications are usually recommended. The DAP monitors patients over the phone to assist in their recovery and progress.

If symptoms worsen, however, the DAP arranges for a follow-up appointment in the clinic.

They also submit positive test results to the Riverside County Public Health Department, which helps to track the progress of the pandemic locally and ensure the sick are counted and advocated for.

The Riverside County Public Health Department typically will contact the patient in about seven business days to discuss testing, symptoms, and the duration of quarantine.

DAP clients who have tested positive for COVID-19 return to the clinic wearing masks after they quarantine for follow-up care, primary care, and any follow-up testing. They will need to prove they are cleared to return to work or provide blood donations.

“It’s not just about COVID-19. We make sure coming to the COVID-19 Clinic means getting treated for any non-COVID-19 respiratory infections,” said Foltz.

Treatment provided for other upper and lower respiratory infections at DAP’s COVID-19 Clinic includes oxygen therapy for patients who have lower than normal levels, nebulizer treatments to open airways and address shortness of breath, IV fluids for dehydration, strep throat testing and treatment, and community acquired pneumonia treatment, among many others.

“After working last weekend at an area hospital to provide support, I saw again the intensity and focus it takes to work with the sickest of the sick COVID-19 patients in a hospital setting… I feel an urgent need to alleviate hospital staff from being

May 21 to May 27, 2020

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL

overwhelmed. As we have seen in other countries, you can go from normal to unstable in the blink of an eye. Having alternative options for testing and treatment, even if at a less acute level, is a necessary component of managing the COVID-19 crisis,” revealed Foltz.

Dr. Foltz also contracted the virus, experiencing mild symptoms and has since then fully recovered. To make sure he was fully free of COVID-19, Foltz put himself through five more nasopharyngeal swabs to prove he was no longer infectious or shedding. After 20 days from his original positive test, he was finally negative.

Once he tested negative, he attempted to donate plasma to help the cause. Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 may have immune-boosting antibodies in their plasma, with the plasma then referred to as “COVID-19 convalescent plasma,” and could be used to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients.

The treatment is not proven, but may have some impact in preliminary studies.

Foltz was denied the ability to donate due to an FDA regulation put in place during the AIDS crisis that prevents gay men from donating blood.

“Frustration doesn’t even begin to explain the complexities of this… I applied for plasma donation only to find out that I was rejected because of the FDA regulations stating men who sleep with men can essentially not be donors for twelve months… Here I had the opportunity to potentially save a life and I was made to feel like something was intrinsically wrong with my blood. The other option was to lie about my medical and personal history, but the ethical physician in me just couldn’t do that. I was angry on so many levels,” stated Foltz.

Despite the difficulties and uncertainties surrounding the treatment and containment of the coronavirus, Foltz remains hopeful that things will change in the future, and is optimistic that there is science now to change FDA regulations.

“If anything good can come out of this health crisis, I hope the FDA will end this harmful ban… Seeing the resilience of healthcare workers and their continuing to work despite this risk makes it very rewarding to be in such a group,” said Foltz.

The COVID-19 Triage Clinic offers antibody testing and diagnostic (swab) testing.

An appointment is required to access COVID-19 testing at DAP by calling (760) 9920407 between 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday.

Visit the cdc.gov website to learn more about the CDC Steps to Stay Safe during the pandemic, and desertaidsproject.org to see what other services the clinic offers.

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

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LOCAL BUSINESS

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mall businesses and industries have taken a significant hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many establishments were forced to limit their operations or have remained closed under government orders. Even with social distancing limitations in place, the local chambers across the Coachella Valley have continued to support members during quarantine through the financial hardships.

The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce (RMCC) has been working diligently since the start of business closures in March, providing communities with tools, resources, and connections to make significant change.

Zoom conferences have been offered on various topics such as Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), CARES Act Explained, to Adaptive Leadership in Times of Crisis to legal counsel discussing furloughs and employment laws. The RMCC is now crafting the next series of topical presenters and networking, which will keep the membership both informed and connected to one another.

Advertising is another way that the RMCC is assisting local businesses, and organizing a Go Fund Me called "Operation Feed the Front Line.” The community was rallied to donate funds and connected the local restaurants with the hospitals to provide meals and treats throughout March and April to front line workers.

"Even if it helped morale for one front line worker, we succeeded. While I don’t have connections for PPE, I do have connections to Rancho Mirage restaurants who are ready and able to serve large groups. It was a fun way to help my business members and our hospital heroes. To date, we have provided over 1,000 meals,” stated President and CEO of the RMCC, Katie Stice.

While all events and both RMCC expos are on hold for now, the RMCC’s 15th annual Desert Nurses Appreciation Luncheon was originally to take place in May, just after National Nurses Week. Once able, this event will again incorporate all Coachella Valley hospitals to recognize the nurses that have been working so hard for the health of the community.

Katie Stice

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DESERT CHAMBERS ASSIST CITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC

"The 15th Annual Desert Nurses Appreciation Luncheon will be grand, there is no doubt about it. It is an honor to host this flagship event for them!” expressed Stice.

Social media has played a pivotal role for the RMCC’s outreach as well, launching the Business Recovery Alliance: Coachella Valley group on Facebook that includes eleven area chambers and business groups, representing over 6,000 people and jobs, in addition to live video series highlighting local nonprofits and businesses.

The Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce is also assisting in the community, partnering with the SBDC and holding Town Hall zoom meetings with over 400 businesses participating each time. These meetings help businesses with funding questions, what recovery may look like, and assistance on creating a recovery plan for their business.

“We are very fortunate that we are able to keep our staff working and our focus is on our members’ needs. The Chamber is an organization that is designed to fill in the gaps that businesses face. As businesses prepare to reopen, we are here to identify what is needed, and to do everything we can to make sure we are prepared to assist,” said Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce CEO, Nona Watson.

Weekly leads lunches are held via zoom

Nona Watson

so members feel connected, and each week, a member restaurant is featured to encourage everyone on the zoom call to first stop in and get lunch from the restaurant, and then join in the Leads Lunch meeting. Members have voiced concern over having access to supplies to help open their businesses when the time comes.

The Palm Springs Chamber put out a list to major suppliers to buy needed items in bulk, resulting in huge savings for its members.

“We are experts in receiving and sending information. We realize that at this time, information changes continuously. We make sure we are on top of all current information and that the most current information is sent to our members,” stated Watson.

In the wake of the pandemic, the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce has established programs to help its members through this uncertain time. The Chamber has concentrated efforts of collecting valid information, free training programs and sharing it to its Facebook page, increasing its reach by 97%, engagements by 169%, and Page Likes by 109%.

“We have to move into the virtual world and find interesting new ways to help members connect, network, but providing resources, education, and advocacy remain in effect as normal. Sponsorships involve exposure other than events,” explained CEO of the Palm Desert Area Chamber of

Pam Scannell

Joshua Bonner

May 21 to May 27, 2020

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL Commerce, Pam Scannell.

The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce also added email blasts on “The Latest As We Get It,” keeping members informed and updated with the latest information on available loans, programs, and directives related to COVID-19. The Chamber is currently adding a section to its website to identify local businesses with online shopping options to assist in its Shop Local Campaign, and is working with an organization on the possibility of zero interest loans targeting Palm Desert Businesses.

“We have plans, and are updating them constantly. We will reopen, we just need to accept a new reality of face masks, sanitizing, and distancing for everyone’s safety,” assured Scannell.

The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce (GCVCC) has worked with the City of La Quinta to establish an “Open for Business” sign program that gives essential businesses like restaurants a free way to get the word out that they are still open. The Chamber has made over 2,000 calls to local businesses, collecting data and offering guidance on applying for financial aid programs.

The GCVCC hosted numerous free town halls with elected officials, agencies and professionals to offer instructions and advice on how to navigate through the pandemic. The Chamber has also staffed a community hotline for the last six weeks, taking over 800 calls so far that has fielded questions from the community on unemployment, business assistance, and issues impacting the community.

“The Chamber will continue to work hard on behalf of our members because what we do is more important than ever: advocacy. We are working to get this economy back open in as safe and efficient manner as possible. We have been working with elected officials at all levels, even participating in calls with the Whitehouse and Governor’s office, to accomplish it. Our members know that they have a voice in the hall of government and power, and that voice is as vital as ever navigating this health and economic emergency,” stated GCVCC President and CEO, Joshua Bonner.

Bonner serves as the Vice Chair for the Riverside County Economic Development Task Force. The task force is made up of 17 business and labor professionals from across Riverside County and reports directly to the Board of Supervisors trying to help navigate the economic road to recovery ahead by advising the Supervisors on local policy.

Visit uschamber.com to learn more about information specific to operating a business and rivcoccsd.org to find out about local health and economy efforts, test sites, and loans from Riverside County.

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LOCAL BUSINESS

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s more businesses start to open their doors and the state of California slowly removes restrictions to set the economy back in motion, the announcement has been made that several casinos will be open to the public, including Agua Caliente, Morongo, Spotlight 29, Tortoise Rock, and Pechanga Resort.

Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians will reopen its casinos in Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage at noon on Friday, May 22, with ‘Play it Safe’ measures in place at both properties. ‘Play it Safe’ measures include intense cleaning efforts using an antimicrobial product throughout the tribal properties as well as temperature checks upon entry, face-covering requirements, and social distancing requirements for guests and team members to follow.

After the casino reopens, Agua Caliente will not allow smoking inside its properties. There will be a 50 percent occupancy limit and the number of seats at table games and on the casino floor will be reduced. In addition, in Rancho Mirage, the Sunstone Spa, The Show, Pivat Cigar Lounge, The District, and the resort pool will remain closed as will the buffets at both properties.

“Upon reopening, our Tribe’s top priority will be to create and maintain the safest environment possible for everyone who interacts with our facilities, including guests, team members, and vendors. We have spent the past two months reevaluating the way we do business in this new environment.

We have changed our perspective and have improved upon our business practices. Our guests demand and deserve the kind of

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CASINOS BEGIN TO REOPEN IN SOCAL

care and attention that goes into providing the highest quality experience,” said Tribal Chairman Jeff L. Grubbe.

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians also announced that it will reopen the Spotlight 29 and Tortoise Rock casinos, located in Coachella and Twenty-Nine Palms respectively, on Friday, May 22, at 10 a.m. Employees of the casinos will receive COVID-19 testing before returning to work and will receive periodic testing going forward for the foreseeable future. All guests, employees and vendors entering the casino will have their temperature checked as well, and all guests and employees must wear protective masks and follow all rules for safety and compliance. Free masks will be provided at the door if guests do not have one.

State-of-the-art UV/Ionization air

LOCAL BUSINESS

hey say a picture is worth a thousand words. If this is true, it leaves the question: how much is video worth?

For many, the use of video in their private and business lives has become increasingly essential. According to an online source, viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video, compared to 10% when reading it in text. Advertisers on social media have known for years about the advantages of using video to get their message across.

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purification equipment has been purchased for both casinos, featuring technology that is widely used in healthcare facilities and has had documented success with validated test results showing 99+% reductions on similar viruses.

“Local, state, and national business are slowly starting to reopen after being temporarily closed to curtail the spread of the virus. We have utilized this downtime to thoroughly clean every aspect of our operations and feel comfortable slowly reopening some aspects of the gaming areas, restaurants, and bars. We take the threat of this virus very seriously and will carefully monitor all aspects of all of our operations to ensure they surpass the protocol guidelines we have put in place,” said Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman Darrell Mike.

BY CRYSTAL HARRELL Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula has plans to open June 1 announced by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians, and was among the first casinos to make an announcement of reopening. With restrictions loosening by state and local officials, the Tribe decided it was practical to begin planning for a target reopening date Augustine Casino in Coachella has no set opening date, but has a plan for when reopening does commence. Guests will find a number of changes within the casino upon their return, both structural and related to policies and health and sanitization guidelines. The Tribe will also continue to monitor CDC, WHO and other health recommendations.

Augustine Casino is implementing a number of enhanced health and safety guidelines including a significant increase in the frequency of cleaning and sanitization, mandatory masks that cover the nose and mouth for both team members and guests, a temporary smoking ban inside the casino, enforced social distancing, frequent hand washing, and an increase in hand sanitizing dispensers.

“We provide over 400 jobs to local Coachella Valley residents. The generosity and philanthropy of the tribe positively affects scores of local nonprofit organizations. We miss our guests and team members dearly.

Please make sure you check social media and our website frequently for reopening updates. Once we reopen, and when you feel ready, we are here to welcome you with open arms,” stated Director of Marketing Lindsay Grant.

HEATHER RAMIREZ SHARES HER PASSION WITH SHARESPARK MEDIA BY CRAIG MICHAELS

This explains why YouTube is the second most visited search engine behind Google.

I recently met a young lady named Heather Ramirez at a business mixer. I was instantly drawn to her purple hair and hat since it is my favorite color. As we began talking, I realized this millennial was bright, motivated and knew what she was talking about. The more we talked, the more she shared ideas on how the average business can use simple videos on YouTube to increase their audience reach.

Or, how users can share their talents and passion with the world for free. I began to realize the importance of having a You Tube channel of my own for real estate.

Having grown up alongside the internet, Heather used modern technology in her marketing and communications career in the ten years following high school. She had worked as a Communications Manager for a private school but also spent a large chunk of her time accelerating in digital marketing for various nonprofits. It began to come into focus that the key to success in a digitally connected world is digital literacy.

So, in April 2016, Heather quit her job to start Sharespark Media. Her goal was to educate

and empower people to utilize digital media to achieve meaningful goals. “Starting a business was the hardest decision of my life and I didn’t realize how isolating it was. My parents did not approve. I did not feel like I fit in with my peers who were getting married and getting promoted in their careers. So, I turned to YouTube and I used video to authentically share all the ups and downs of my entrepreneurial journey,” Heather recalls.

Living in Long Beach at the time, her world would change in August 2017 when she received a comment on her YouTube channel from a high school digital media teacher named Tom Buck. She connected to chat about their mutual mission of promoting digital literacy and a few weeks later she found her way out to Indio High School and eventually fell in love. They share their story on her channel which you can view here: youtube.com/watch?v=5nIp4Bcopjk.

The couple were married just days ago on Monday May 18, 2020, steaming the ceremony live on YouTube of course.

Now that she calls the Desert home, Heather can teach you how to create videos that are value driven to the specific needs

of your potential customers or viewers. As a YouTube Certified coach and consultant, Heather has over 15,000 followers and over 1 million views on her vlogs, videos, and livestreams. On her website you can find out more about her Zero to YouTube Hero online course. You will learn how to build a successful YouTube channel, create engaging videos, and grow your community.

Heather has inspired me to start my own channel: “Real Estate Palm Springs,” more on that coming soon. If you need some guidance and inspiration on how to share your story with the world, check out her: YouTube Mastermind. This private membership will help you grow your YouTube channel through group coaching, one-on-one feedback, and a supportive community. You can find more info on her website: sharesparkmedia.com or email her at heather@sharesparkmedia. com.

Written By: Craig Michaels craig@realestatepalmsprings.com

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TRAVEL&LOCALHAPPENINGS4U

BOB WILLIAMS NURSERY B

ob Williams Nursery was established in 1963 by Bob's father and has been run by the second generations since 1996. Since establishment, their family-owned business has shared their love for plants, the outdoors and the Coachella Valley.

Full-Service Nursery With more than 4 acres of plants, trees, flowers, shrubs, and cactus, they are one of the largest nurseries in the area.

They provide convenient loading and delivery services to the Coachella Valley, Palm Springs and Indio area.

Shop for garden art and pottery at Bob Williams Nursery, Inc. Their plant nursery in Indio, California, offers a variety of local plants and landscaping products at reasonable

May 21 to May 27, 2020

ARTICLE & PHOTOS BY LYNNE TUCKER

SERVICING THE COACHELLA VALLEY IN INDIO, CA

prices. They carry fountains, garden art, pottery, fertilizers, outdoor benches, as well as customized products.

Their certified nursery staff averages more than 18 years of industry experience.

Through the years, they have become known for their reasonable prices and helpful staff.

In addition, they are currently growing new desert-acclimated plants that will soon be offered at their nursery.

Hours: 7 days a week from October through mid-June.

Mon -Sat 8 am - 4 pm (Summer Hours M - Sat 7 am - 3:30 pm) Stop by today, or give them a call.

Delivery Available. You pick it and they will move it to your yard.

More info visit bobwilliamsnursery.com.

(760) 347-6397 Remember social distancing, wear masks, and stay safe.

Think landscape & enjoy the nursery!

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LOCAL MUSIC

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FITZ AND FRIENDS SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 9 P.M. ON FOX 11 PALM SPRINGS

BENEFITTING THE COACHELLA VALLEY RESCUE MISSION

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long with paving the way for others, a pioneer also settles in a region in order for that area to be utilized and developed by others. CV104.3 radio host, musician and concert promoter jimi ‘FITZ’ Fitzgerald experienced homelessness at a young age and DOES look back. He looks back because his past experiences have brought him here, a place and footing where he is grateful to give back. The recipient of the ‘Pioneer Award’ at the 2019 Coachella Valley Music Awards continues his altruistic ways during these difficult times with his “Best of jimi FITZ and Friends” music special benefitting the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission (cvrm. com) in Indio, California.

Along with The Gulf California Broadcast Company, KDFX, FOX 11 Palm Springs, Vicky’s of Santa Fe, CV 104.3 and Wendy Jayne Productions, FITZ is proud to announce the one hour special that will air on FOX 11 Sunday, May 24th at 9 p.m. and will be hosted by News Channel 3 meteorologist Patrick Evans and FITZ himself. It will also be streamed worldwide at kesq.com/livestreamevents. You are asked to go to the CVRM website to access the links: cvrm.com The show will feature a variety of songs by well-known Coachella Valley musicians performing at past McCallum Theatre ‘FITZ and Friends’ events. The list of performers includes: FAULTS OF ANDREAS, KAL DAVID AND LAURI BONO, JOHN CAREY, WILL DONATO, jimi FITZ, KEVIN HENRY, JOHN STANLEY KING, RONNIE KING, STEVE MADAIO, BARRY MINNIEFIELD, JIMMY PALMER, PENNY UNNIVERSITY, SERGIO VILLEGAS and WENDY JANE. Along with his wife Wendy, CEO of Wendy Jane Productions, Inc., FITZ has continued to take the lead with highly successful events like the Wedbush Garden Jam Music Festival, held at the

May 21 to May 27, 2020

BY NOE GUTIERREZ kesq.com RONNIE KING & JOHN STANLEY KING “Some years ago jimi FITZ sat with me in Newport Beach and said ‘I want to make records again’. I was a big fan of his hit Audio/Video when I was in high school. After making several records, look what it’s turned into. FITZ has pulled so many artists from the desert together for the event and it looked and sounded amazing! Playing the grand piano for me is always a highlight. Great going FITZ!” JSK “This will be a great local presentation.

It includes great video production, the sound is great and the local talent is always spot-on.” ronniekingofficial.com

famed Indian Wells Tennis Garden and headlined in 2019 by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real and “The Legend,” Buddy Guy and, in what would have been its 20th year, FITZ’S Jazz Café at the McCallum, a series that has brought some of the best and brightest stars from the world of Jazz to the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California. Despite the pandemic, FITZ is fulfilling his destiny in bringing world-class entertainment to the desert regardless of the circumstances.

CV Weekly spoke with FITZ, Patrick Evans and a majority of the performers this past week to ask about the benefit, their performance and what they are currently up to during this trying time. jimi ‘FITZ’ Fitzgerald CVW: Thank you for doing this FITZ, you really are the best example of helping your fellow human. How did you come to the idea of helping the CVRM? FITZ: “I wanted to do something of note that would have an impact and be able to help. There’s no one who hasn’t been affected by this in some shape or form. If you have a roof over your head and food in the pantry, you’re in a lot better shape than people on the streets who don’t have money to go buy food or have shelter. The show is all about raising money and awareness for the CVRM. They are so stretched with resources and need help more than ever. The need for food has increased ten-fold in the last couple of months. I’m thrilled to help rally the community to come together. Anything you can donate is appreciated.”

CVW: I attended both of these shows and they sounded and looked astonishing.

I think it’s great that you’re pulling them from the vault to share with everyone, not to mention for a great cause.

FITZ: “I’ve had this great footage from my McCallum Theatre concerts the past couple of years. I’ve been waiting to figure out how I was going to put it out there and thought this would be an excellent time to really help the CVRM spread some awareness as to what they do. This gives the public an opportunity to see their favorite performers on that big McCallum Theatre stage with great production.”

CVW: How are you and Wendy coping with this unexpected downtime and what are our desert performers to do?

FITZ: “We cook a lot, we read, doing some songwriting and stay in contact with friends. We are blessed to have a handful of clients that have been on the radio that we’re working with and still promoting and trying to figure out what we’re going to do moving forward. Wendy Jane and I exercise, swim, walk, run and do a little yoga. We also engage in a lot of sleep as well and eating clean. I do feel bad for the entertainment out here. We don’t have the answer but every day is a new day!”

PATRICK EVANS “FITZ and I are really looking forward to presenting this music both on television and as it Livestreams because the music and the musicians speak for themselves but it’s important to help use those voices to raise money for the CVRM which is helping more people than ever during this pandemic.”

JOHN CAREY “First let me say that it's always a pleasure to work with FITZ and Wendy Jane, we’re like family and I respect and appreciate their work in the valley. My performance was very special because it was one of the last shows I got to do with our brother Steve Madaio. Steve and I played a song by Carlos Santana called “Europa”. I knew it was his favorite song and mine as well. We both got caught up in the moment as we played, not in competition but in love for the music and our brothers on stage.”

“I have moved to Georgia to be around family. It's been great and I'm continuing writing music and producing. My latest project I just finished was writing and producing a solo album for Ronnie Moss, one of the singers in The Spinners. I also just finished two songs for The Spinners for their upcoming album. I'm still in remission from cancer and under doctor’s orders to stay inside.”

KAL DAVID “I’m looking forward to the CVRM show. All the great talent that lives in the desert on one show in a wonderful setting. Can’t wait to see it!”

“Our seasonal shows in the desert are all on hold and I doubt the venues will open before the season ends. We had some nice shows booked for our summer tours, but they all are postponed. So I’m hoping that we can do our Canada dates and our shows in New England in September. If all goes well we will start our shows at Vicky’s of Santa Fe in October.” kaldavid.com LAURI BONO “Being a part of FITZ and Friends was fabulous from beginning to end. It’s rare continue to page 10

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FITZ & FRIENDS continued from page 9

that we get to perform with some of our favorite musicians here in the valley. It was all for one and one for all, just a total joy! The sold out audience loved it and we loved them. FITZ always has a vision and this was a great one! We all need to do what we can to be of service and the CVRM does such great work. It was brilliant of FITZ and Wendy Jane to work out using this incredible night of music to benefit them!”

“As far as musical endeavors, Kal and I have been using this down time writing for a new album we are hoping to record next spring. For now, we’ve been performing a few benefits for people who are really struggling during this difficult time.”

SERGIO VILLEGAS “I have known and worked with FITZ for over 20 years. For the upcoming television presentation in particular, FITZ gathered some of the best musicians I have known in my 40 years in the industry.

FITZ produced a spectacular show at the McCallum Theatre with a full house in attendance and the artists received multiple standing ovations. I highly recommend all CV Weekly readers tune in on May 24th to enjoy and support this charitable contribution to our community with the great Patrick Evans as emcee.” sergiovillegasguitar.com WILL DONATO “I’m looking forward to this wonderful online event and celebrating the CVRM Once again Jimi ‘FITZ' Fitzgerald, aka the ‘Voice of Desert Lifestyle’ has assembled a talented group of musical artists

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and entertainers, joining together for a common goal of bringing peace and comfort through music. I'm honored to be part of this special event broadcast.”

“I am celebrating the achievement of a Billboard #1 Radio Single on the prestigious Billboard Charts and a brand new radio single for 2020 entering the Top Ten Billboard Charts and NEW CD 2020 Release! Every day is a gift for this cancer survivor and lover of life.

Tune in May 24th for a compelling and entertaining show featuring the very BEST of our beautiful valley!” willdonato.com BARRY MINNIEFIELD “This event is for a good cause and times are tougher now. I'm so happy to be of service to our people. FITZ is a great guy and it’s my pleasure to help.”

“Since the corona virus, music just stopped everywhere, so I'm in the studio working on some new music.” barryminniefieldofficial.com JIMMY PALMER (FAULTS OF ANDREAS) “People are going to have to tune in and see what kind of magic jimi FITZ has in store for us again. Looking back, I’m so proud and honored that the birth of our band Faults of Andreas came from the jimi FITZ and Friends show.”

111guitars.com Please go to cvrm.org for more information TV: FOX 11 Sunday, May 24th at 9 p.m.

Livestream online at kesq.com/ livestream-events

Thursday, May 21

Warsaw Poland Bros – Facebook – 11:30am Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Hey Bertha – Facebook – 5pm Cody White and the Easy Ride – Facebook – 7:30pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Friday, May 22

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Slim Man – Facebook – 5pm Rose Mallett – Facebook – 5pm Derek Jordan Gregg – Facebook – 6pm Michael Keeth – Facebook – 7-8pm Carlos Cruz & Frank Villa – Facebook – 8pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Saturday, May 23

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Jetta King – Facebook – 3pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Sunday, May 24

Sticky Doll – Facebook – 11am Rob Pickett – Barflys – Facebook – 2pm Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm

Pete Campbell (Versastyle) – Facebook – 4:20pm Blasting Echo – Facebook – 5pm Lootenant Ldoubleo – Instagram - @ lootenantmusic – 5pm Krystofer Do – Facebook – 7-9:30pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Monday, May 25

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Slim Man – Facebook - 5pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Tuesday May 26

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Rose Mallett – Facebook – 6:30pm Lizann Warner – Facebook – 6:30pm Michael Keeth – Facebook – 7-8pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm

Wednesday, May 27

Sergio Villegas – Facebook – 3pm Slim Man – Facebook - 5pm Nicholas J. Sosa – Facebook – 10pm Contact Phil Lacombe to have your Virtual Performance listed here. philip@coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

May 21 to May 27, 2020

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

CONSIDER THIS

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HOLSAPPLE & STAMEY “OUR BACK PAGES”

BY ELENI P. AUSTIN

(OMNIVORE RECORDINGS)

T

hese are dark days for a number of industries. One that has been hit the hardest is the music business. In the face of the pandemic, album releases have been shelved or postponed. Tours, the true lifeblood for any working musician have been delayed indefinitely. As labels, artists and venues begin to create new business models, the duo of Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey are a little ahead of the curve.

Their new release, Our Back Pages is only available digitally, meaning no physical product needs to be shipped, the money moves more quickly into the artists’ pockets and a portion of the proceeds benefit The Musicares COVID-19 Relief Fund.

Peter and Chris have been pals for at least half a century. Born in Greenwich Connecticut in 1956, Peter’s family migrated to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, just in time to start elementary school. He began playing guitar at age eight, but spent his teen years attending boarding school back East. Originally, Chris was from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, born in 1954, he grew up in nearby Winston-Salem. He began playing music as a kid and in 1963 he was making primitive recordings in his basement. It was around this time that he and Peter first crossed paths.

While Peter was off at Exeter Academy (becoming fast friends with future Tom Petty Heartbreaker, Benmont Tench), Chris was cycling through a series of high school bands playing bass, cello and guitar and learning the rudiments of recording with future producer Mitch Easter.

The pair reunited in 1972 when Peter returned to North Carolina and along with Mitch, formed Rittenhouse Square.

The trio recorded an exuberant EP, before adding drummer and former schoolmate, Will Rigby to the line-up. They also changed their name to Little Diesel. The four-piece recorded a locally released 8-track. Sloppy and slightly anarchic, it was the epitome of Garage Rock, and it opened the door for their most lasting enterprise, the dB’s.

Originally, The dB’s assembled in New York City, with Chris, Will and bassist Gene Holder. Peter had remained in North Carolina, fronting a band called The H-Bombs. When that imploded, he became the final piece of the dB’s puzzle.

They signed with a U.K. label, Albion, and their debut, Stands for deciBels arrived in 1981. A sparkling 12 song set, it echoed

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seminal influences like the Beatles and Big Star, the angular snarl of NYC Punks like Television and kind of presaged Robyn Hitchcock’s solo works as well as the ascendance of R.E.M. It was an immediate hit with critics. Soon, the band was on the road, opening for like-minded acts like Bush Tetras, the Bongos and the Fleshtones.

A year later, their second effort, Repercussion, appeared, but following that release, Chris left the band and embarked on a solo career. The dB’s continued as a three-piece and recorded their third album, Like This. Stumbling a bit, the band added and subtracted members and endured the typical record label angst. In the late ‘80s they thought they had finally found a home with the respected indie, I.R.S. Records.

In 1987 they released their most accessible album to date, Sound Of Music.

It even featured sui generis vocals from acclaimed singer-songwriter/chanteuse Syd Straw. Although the band received massive exposure as the openers on R.E.M.’s “Document” tour, the album never managed to gain traction commercially. The dB’s amicably called it quits the following year.

Ironically, the band’s adroit oeuvre made it into the record collections of promising newcomers like Fountains Of Wayne, Smithereens and Matthew Sweet. Peter became a touring guitarist with R.E.M., he even helped shape their breakthrough “Out Of Time” album. He worked as a session musician for a bit as Chris forged a respected solo career. The pair reunited in 1991 and as Holsapple & Stamey recorded a brilliant duo album, Mavericks.

For the next couple of decades the pair went their separate ways. Peter joined the Continental Drifters, a ragged but right supergroup that included exDream Syndicate bassist Mark Walton, ex-Bangle Vicki Peterson, New Orleans natives Carlo Nuccio and Ray Ganucheau and the amazingly brilliant Susan Cowsill, who later married Peter. The ensemble lasted until the early 21st century, before breaking up. (Same with Susan and Peter). A guitarist for hire, he hit the road with Hootie & The Blowfish, NRBQ, the Kennedys and the reunited Bangles. In the midst of that activity he released his solo debut, Out Of My Way in 1997.

Meanwhile, Chris sporadically pursued a solo career, opened Modern Recording in Chapel Hill with producer Scott Litt

and carved out a second vocation behind the boards. In the process, he’s worked with artists like Whiskytown, Marshall Crenshaw, Branford Marsalis, Tift Merritt and Yo La Tengo. Holsapple & Stamey recovened in 2009 and released a second effort, hERE & nOW. This paved the way for s full-fledged dB’s reunion. Their fifth long-player, the wonderful Falling Off The Sky, appeared in 2012.

Peter’s second solo album, Game Day arrived in 2018. Meanwhile Chris Stamey And Friends released New Songs For The 20th Century a year later. Their new effort, Our Back Pages, has been gestating for several years, it began while the pair were making hERE & nOW. They started working up acoustic arrangements for classic dB’s cuts in between recording new material. Of course the minty fresh songs took precedence and the vintage stuff was set aside, but not forgotten.

Both “Today,” which opens the album, and “Molly Says” were written following Chris’ departure from the band, and first appeared on Sound Of Music in 1987. The opener is miles away from the frenetic locomotion of the original. A blend of jangly acoustic notes, piquant electric riffs gently lap over lowing violin and a clickityclack beat. Peter and Chris’ harmonies dovetail perfectly as lyrics offer some cautious optimism; “Sometimes I think the one for me, hasn’t happened yet/And sometimes I do play hard to get, but today could be the day.”

“Molly...” is powered by strum-y acoustic guitars, rumbly bass lines and a bit of a tambourine shake. Peter’s droll tenor is slightly out front on the verses, spinning a wry narrative regarding Molly, a malcontent who “Could stand at the top of the world and still complain that she could not see/She could stand in a deep dark hole and still look down on me.”

When Molly compares him favorably to her dad, that’s the last straw; “I don’t like her old man that much anyway, I don’t want to hear it.”

The album Stands For deciBels is well represented on four tracks, beginning with the bitter kiss-off of “Black And White.” Eschewing the nervous energy of the original, gorgeous acoustic arpeggios

lattice over a supple see-saw melody.

Although there’s less malice in their vocal delivery, sentiments like “Ooh, we are finished, as of a long, long time ago…I don’t enjoy you anymore, well, I guess I just don’t enjoy you anymore, well, I guess it’s all laid out in black in white, and you don’t like it at all” still bite. A sitar-riffic guitar solo on the break looks to diffuse the situation.

Lyrically, they flip the script on “Dynamite,” which testifies to the spontaneous combustion of instant attraction, (the not-enjoying is still on the horizon); “Dynamite, late last night/Face jet white, so polite, dyna dyna dynamite.”

Conversely, the new arrangement seeks to smooth out the spiky angularity found on “Stands...” Here, braided acoustic guitars cloak thump-y upright bass, some handclappin’ percussion and wheezy accordion.

Back in 1981, “Big Brown Eyes” had all the ingredients of a classic Power Pop confection, ringing acoustic and spitfire electric guitars, rubbery bass lines and a whip-smart beat. In 2020, it’s recalibrated as a sunshiny sweet encomium. Spiraling acoustic guitars envelope plinky toy piano notes and stacked harmonies.

Finally, “She’s Not Worried” wasn’t included on the first pressings of Stand but popped up later as a bonus track on the IRS reissue. Brilliantly baroque, back then it felt like it just wasn’t made for those times. This incarnation is strippeddown, but still retains its ornate appeal.

Bare-bones acoustic licks are tethered to a tiptoe-through-the-tulips beat as plaintive harmonies wash over a featherlight melody. Mordant wit is evinced in the opening couplet; “She’s not bothered by the foolish way I live my life, ‘cause she knows it’ll be over soon/And it will, so she won’t worry, worry now” and reinforced by the toy piano solo.

The Repercussion album is allotted three tracks. “Happenstance” wraps rippling guitars around Silvertone bass lines and vapory keys. Erudite lyrics like “Happenstance we fell into an off-the-cuff vitriolic remark, all I ever wanted was to make you so damn happy/But a mother knows what’s best she said, a mother knows what’s right, so run back to your mother, out of mind out of sight” signal the end of a budding romance. Peter and Chris manage to harmonize through their sneer, but the fractious Flamenco solo on the break mirrors the collective acrimony.

“From A Window To A Screen” is awash is dissonant heartbreak. The buzzy,

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SAFETY TIPS

May 21 to May 27, 2020

FROM THE CHIEFS CORNER

BY FIRE CHIEF SAM DIGIOVANNA

MEMORIAL DAY SAFETY!

T

low-key guitar on the original is swapped out for some rambling, back porch banjo and cascading ukulele. Hushed harmonies underscore the ache of a fractured romance that was “careless at the start, cautious at the end.”

The best song here is possibly the oldest and the newest. “Picture Sleeve” was a title the dB’s kicked around as early as 1978. A few chords and snatches of lyrics were all Peter and Chris could recall 40 years later, so they used that as a springboard, creating a brand new song.

Winsome electrified riffs are shadowed by sturdy acoustic rhythm guitar. Like the Who’s “Pictures Of Lily” (sans the onanism) and Steely Dan’s “Peg,” the song’s narrator becomes infatuated with an image; “Fell in love with a girl on a picture sleeve, that I saw in an ad in N.M.E…..Found her in the back on an indie bin, she played the drums, she could make the drumsticks spin/They wrapped around her fingers, as she counted it in, sitting back with her cool sardonic grin.”

With a few neatly turned phrases, the song recalls a simpler, more innocent time. The shimmery guitars on the break accentuate the sense of nostalgia.

The album closes with the third Repercussion cut, “Nothing Is Wrong.”

The dour melody is anchored by ringing acoustic riffs, prickly electric guitar, plaintive piano and an accelerated, kickdrum beat. Yet again, the lyrics traffic in what Jimi Hendrix once characterized as “Love Or Confusion.” Keening, choir boy harmonies levitate, and keep the listener from hopelessly wallowing in the mire.

The guys received some assistance from John Teer and Libby Rodenbough on violin while Andy Burton added keys.

Forever dB’ers Gene Holder and Will Rigby provided bass and drums. Peter and Chris played everything else, including banjo, Ukulele, harmonium, both upright and Silvertone basses, toy piano, and plenty o’ guitars.

Although this was recorded piecemeal, the result feels like a fairly cohesive effort. At times, Our Back Pages displays the loose-limbed charm of a campfire sing-a-long. It seems wildly apropos that the album’s title pays sideways homage to a Bob Dylan song, “My Back Pages.”

To paraphrase the lyrics from that classic track, Holsapple & Stamey’s music is “too serious to fool, too noble to neglect.”

hough many places will remain under quarantine from the Corona Virus, it won’t stop us from enjoying Memorial Day weekend.

There are plenty of fun things to do, but keeping safety in mind is a priority!

Travel Safety • Buckle up, slow down, don’t drive impaired.

• Be well rested, alert and patient; give your full attention to the road. Do not text and drive!

• Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive.

Water Safety Paddle Board? Jet Ski? Surfing? It’s all harmless fun, right? Fun, certainly. But think before you play. Whatever the activity, observe these three cardinal rules: • Wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.

• Know local weather conditions. Make sure the water and weather conditions are safe. Let others know when you hit the water and when you plan to return!

• Swimming pools. Learn to swim. Do not swim alone or leave children unattended!

Let someone know where and what time your leaving and intend on returning!

Barbeque Safety This fun seasonal ritual has a flip side, though—namely, an onset of injuries and home fires due to careless cooking practices. Here are some tips you can follow to stay safe while enjoying those tasty treats at your cookout.

• Never grill indoors or unattended – not in your house, camper, tent or any enclosed area.

• Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire. Hot grease or ashes could spill from the grill onto the wooden deck or into dry leaves or grass.

Hiking Safety • Watch out for rattle snakes • Let others know your destination and time of departing and returning • Bring fluids (water) and stay hydrated • Wear appropriate clothing • Wear sun screen • The most important thing is practice common sense…

Happy Memorial Day and Be Safe!

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

S and G

PUMPING SERVICE

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

I

SCREENERS

n the last month, there has been a measurable and considerable increase in local marijuana and alcohol sales that coincide with the huge online bump of the streaming and bingeing of older and in some cases truly classic films. The purchase of physical discs and VOD files have also seen a significant spike. Although movie studios rarely if ever release financial numbers for home video sales of most current/recent films.

We are hungry for entertaining diversions whether comedy or drama, and we are conditioned to not watch movies alone. It’s the sharing we most crave because it gives us an opportunity to connect our opinions and personal experiences that the movie triggers with others. Movies, mostly American made, are the pond from which the entire planet drinks.

The historic first quarter, in which digital transactional home entertainment saw its biggest month ever, driven by stay-athome orders keeping people in during the COVID-19 pandemic (access DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group’s full Q1 report here), home entertainment continues its rapid pace. Peppered with titles new to the chart for May, the ‘Watched at Home Top 20’ list once again has all of the information you need to stay up to date on the latest and greatest releases!

The ‘Watched at Home Top 20’ list is compiled with the most popular titles consumed on disc and digital during the previous week (except for outside subscription-based streaming platforms).

Compiled each week with the most up to date studio and retailer data, it showcases current consumer enthusiasm for home viewing of the newest movie releases. It’s also a picture of where our collective minds are gathered.

Do we most want drama or comedy? Or is it relevant and meaningful stories that mosyt connect with us during our down time?

Here’s the current list of what we are watching at home. How many have you seen or want to see? Please let me know.

Bloodshot (Sony, 2020, Bad Boys for Life (Sony), Sonic the Hedgehog (Paramount), Jumanji: The Next Level (Sony), Star Wars: Ep IX - Skywalker (Disney, I Still Believe (Lionsgate), The Gentlemen (STX/Universal, 2019), Birds of Prey: Harley Quinn (WB), Dolittle (Universal), 1917 (Universal), Little Women (Sony), Arkansas (Lionsgate),

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No. 422

The Call of the Wild (Disney, 2020) Gretel & Hansel (WB), Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (WB), Underwater (Fox), Rick and Morty S4 (WB), Like a Boss (Paramount), Knives Out (Lionsgate). The Way Back (WB, 2020).

NEW BLU FOR THE HOME THEATER: SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

WORTH A WATCH Lord, aka Sheriff Tom Wachoowski (James Marsden), to save the planet in this actionpacked hit that’s sure-fire fun for the whole family.

Bonus features on the 4K and Blu-ray included: Commentary by director Jeff Fowler and the voice of Sonic Ben Schwartz, Around the World in 80 Seconds (see Sonic’s next adventure), Deleted Scenes, Bloopers, and much more. Paramount Home Entertainment.

BY ROBIN E. SIMMONS includes screenwriter Eleanor Catton and and Cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt.

Universal.

THE INVISIBLE MAN

EMMA

Get ready for epic fun and super sonic action when everyone’s favorite hedgehog races home in the blockbuster hit debuting early for purchase.

The film is now available on 4K, Blu-ray, DVD and rental on demand or disc.

Powered with incredible speed, Sonic The Hedgehog (voiced by Ben Schwartz, aka The Blue Blur, embraces his new home on earth.

That is, until he accidentally knocks out the power grid and sparks attention of superuncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey).

Now it’s super villain vs. super sonic in an allout race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using his unique powers for world domination. Sonic teams up with the Donut

Hailed as a visually lush modern entertainment, Jane Austen’s beloved nineteenth-century comedy on misguided matchmaking and romantic mishaps gets a refreshing, heartwarming and witty update in director Autumn de Wilde’s exquisite film adaptation.

Autumn de Wilde’s feature film debut brings to life the English Countryside in a way that rivals St “Barry Lyndon.”

The exceptional ensemble cast lead by Taylor Joy’s Emma, is rounded out by Johnny Flynn, Bill Nighy, Mia Goth, Josh O’Connor, Miranda Hart, Tanya Reynolds, Connor Swindells, Rupert Graves and Gemma Whelan.

But the thing that makes this satisfying film so delightful and seductive, is the glorious sexual tension and the cat-and-mouse match making. Highest recommendation.

Cool extras include deleted Scenes, a Gag Reel and “Crafting a Colorful World.” There’s also a wonderful director’s commentary that

Elizabeth Moss is outstanding playing Cecelia, a young woman trapped in a controlling relationship with a rich tech genius. She escapes in the dead of night and disappears into hiding and then gets news that her abusive ex has died. But she has reason to believe the death was a hoax.

Cecelia’s sanity is challenged when she desperately attempts to prove she is being hunted, menaced and assaulted by someone nobody can see.

Universal finally created a worthy reboot of the classic monsters in writer-director Leigh Whannell’s gripping thriller. It almost makes up for the dreadful Tom Cruise starrer “The Mummy.” Universal.

robin@coachellavalleyweekly.com

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

‘SORDID LIVES’ LIVESTREAM TO BENEFIT THE DESERT ROSE PLAYHOUSE

BY DEE JAE COX

W

hat makes a great play? It starts with an amazing script.

A play can be produced a multitude of times, in black-box theatres and thousand seat arenas. It can feature well known performers or local talent. Yet regardless of venue or performers, a well written script will always prevail upon any stage. Such is the case for playwright Del Shore’s classic black comedy, “Sordid Lives.”

In 1996 Shores, script made its world debut in a 64 seat theatre in Los Angeles and ran before sold out audiences for thirteen months, winning thirteen Critics Choice Awards. It has since been produced in over 300 theatres nationwide and in 2000 was adapted into a film featuring an all-star cast, Bonnie Bedelia, Beau Bridges, Delta Burke and Olivia Newton-John.

Del Shores, has written seven previous plays, all published by Samuel French, produced thousands of times worldwide with four adapted for the screen which have run collectively for over seven years in Los Angeles. His play, “Southern Baptist Sissies” won the GLAAD Award. “The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife,” won the NAACP Theatre Award, and both Yellow and Trailer Trash won the LADCC Award for Best Original Play and Best Production.

Shores, hit show “Sordid Lives,” is described as a black comedy about white trash as a gay actor struggles to come out

to his eccentric, dysfunctional Texas family.

When the family matriarch trips over the two wooden legs of her lover in a seedy motel room, her funeral brings three generations of the family back together in a story about learning to love the family you have as they are, not as you wish them to be.

A live reading of “Sordid Lives,” will be live streamed on YouTube and Facebook on Sunday, May 31 at 5pm Pacific/ 8pm Eastern, hosted and produced by Emerson Collins and Del Shores. The reading will star some of the cast from the original 1996 play, the cult-hit 2000 film, LOGO’s 2008 “Sordid Lives: The Series” and the 2017 marriage equality-themed film sequel “A Very Sordid Wedding.” The free live stream reading and accompanying auction of Sordid Lives memorabilia is a benefit fundraiser for twenty- three live theatre companies who are associated partners of the Del Shores Foundation and support its mission to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices. All of the artists are donating their time and 100% of proceeds will go to the partner theatre companies, such as the Desert Rose Playhouse. (desertroseplayhouse.org) The Producers of this live stream performance is The Del Shores Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices through bringing together artists and working professionals,

May 21 to May 27, 2020

BREAKING THE4TH WALL

amplifying new work and connecting artists to platforms for the creation of their work.

The Foundation will present a one-night-only benefit reading of the original Sordid Lives, play by Del Shores for a #SordidLiveStream.

One of the theatres who will benefit from this performance is the Coachella Valley’s lgbtq theatre, the Desert Rose Playhouse.

Artistic Director, Robbie Wayne stated that, “We are participating with this event as a part of an earlier agreement we made with Del Shores at the first of the year to be part of select theatre companies that help produce new content at our locations.”

The Del Shores foundation website explained how this performance came about. “Several weeks ago, Del had a conversation with the artistic director of one of the foundation's theatre partners.

They explained that the challenges of the

pandemic have put their company's viability in jeopardy. Since Del started his career in, and always returns to, the theatre, he was inspired to figure out a way to use our skills to do something to help theatre companies and also provide entertainment. This livestream benefit reading was the result of that.”

Sordid Lives, will live stream Sunday, May 31 at 5pm Pacific/ 8pm Eastern.

The reading is free and reminders can be set for the livestream on YouTube here: bit.ly/2Lu9VMz. For more info, donations and auction items, please visit delshoresfoundation.org.

Dee Jae Cox is a playwright, director and producer. She is the Cofounder and Artistic Director of The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Project. losangeleswomenstheatreproject.org palmspringstheatre.com

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

PET PLACE

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY JANET McAFEE

RETURNING TO WORK, TRAINING TIPS FOR BENJI

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ecent news reports showed rows of empty kennels at animal shelters.

Those kennels tell the story of happy endings for homeless animals adopted by homebound Americans seeking pet companionship during the pandemic.

Now as California begins to reopen some businesses and work places, many of those adopters are heading back to work. Most of these rescue pups have the confidence to easily adapt when the stay-at-home order lifts and their humans are suddenly away from home for 9 hours. What can you do now to ensure your recently adopted dog has a smooth transition to this change?

The dog you’ve had for years may also be a bit sad when you are not with him all day.

We consulted with Valerie Masi, local

dog trainer and operator of Best Paw Forward, for some expert advice. She advises, “If folks know they are returning to work soon, they can start now putting the dog on that schedule. Walk them in the morning, and I don’t mean a 15 minute walk. They need a 30 minute to a 1 hour walk, depending on the breed. When you control their walk and they practice “heeling” this works their brain more than random walking, and helps them calm down.”

Valerie describes her experience with canine separation anxiety that occurred with her personal dog, Duke. In 1991, she took this German shepherd puppy with her while she attended the National k-9 School of Dog Training, a 4-month residential program in Columbus, Ohio. Ironically, the school never covered the topic of separation anxiety. Valerie recalls, “When we returned home, Duke didn’t know how to be calm when I left the house after being with me all day long. He started to destroy things in the home. He even escaped from a secured crate. Dogs can only learn if they experience something, and he needed to learn how to be calm. Back then the vets didn’t have anxiety medication, so I put Duke on a tranquilizer, just enough to keep him calm, and soon weened him off once he learned that state of mind.”

Valerie continues with great advice for dog owners, “Provide your dog with some ‘high value’ items when you leave, such as the frozen bones you can purchase at pet specialty shops. Nyla bones and favorite toys are also effective to keep their attention. Start leaving them alone for a few hours at a time. If they have an issue, they will usually act out right after their human leaves, with the length of time depending on the dog. Consider placing them in a doggie day care program where they can enjoy the company of other pups a couple days a week. When you do leave

them alone at home, make sure they get exercised beforehand, and they might choose to nap when you leave.” A tired contented dog that had a brisk walk and playtime is more likely to be calm when you go out.

House training is another important issue when you are not available for those frequent potty visits outside. With tough cases, you can house your pup in a tiled bathroom or kitchen with a baby gate keeping them enclosed. Small artificial grass patches with a catch tray beneath them are available at PetSmart and Petco.

Valerie suggests that doggie doors with x-pens might work for medium or small dogs (as long as your yard is secure from coyotes).

Lillian Roberts, D.V.M, veterinarian at Country Club Animal Clinic in Palm Desert, advises, “We don’t know what it’s like for a dog when their whole world goes topsy turvy and suddenly you are gone from the home. They are pack animals, and instinctively want to be with people.

Teach them in advance to be without you.

If there are two people in the household,

MEET SPARTACUS

MEET HOPE

This handsome fellow, named after a famous gladiator, would love to be your hero! Spartacus was a hungry, homeless stray cat until Kittyland rescued him. This 18-month old cat loves all humans and other cats.

Call Kittyland in Desert Hot Springs. kittylandrescue.org at (760) 251-2700 for an appointment to meet him.

Hope “hopes” for a home soon! This 3-yr-old Bull Terrier girl was rescued

by California Paws Rescue from the county shelter. This commandtrained sweetheart is 40 lbs of doggie love. Hope “hopes” for a home with a yard where she can run and play.

Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. www.californiapawsrescue. com, YOU MUST CALL (760) 656-3833 FOR APPOINTMENT TO MEET HOPE.

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have each spend time separately with the dog. In severe cases, I prescribe special dog anti-anxiety medication or dog antidepressants with the goal of weaning them off. In many cases, a dog trainer can help.”

Valerie is pictured here with Brandon (AKA Brian), a successful Loving All Animals alumni dog. Valerie donates her time to this animal welfare organization to help rescue dogs do well in their adoptive homes. In addition to certification from an accredited dog training school, Valerie Masi has a degree in Animal Behavior, Training, and Management from Moorpark College. This skilled dog trainer is adept at handling dogs of all sizes. You can contact Valerie Masi with Best Paws Forward for training assistance at (760) 885-9450.

Don’t give up on your special pup.

Loving and loyal, our dogs help us get through the darkest of days. Remember, you are the center of your dog’s world, and he or she loves you more than you can imagine. There is almost no training problem that can’t be solved with some patience, skill, and time.

Janetmcafee8@gmail.com ---------------------------------------------------Here is a partial list of public shelters and private rescue organizations in the Inland Empire. Due to the high volume of recent adoptions, some of them may not have a lot of animals on a given day. You can also go on www.petfinder.com and enter your zip code and the type of rescue dog or cat you seek.

COACHELLA VALLEY ANIMAL CAMPUS – This large county shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt.

You can view the animals at all 4 Riverside county shelters at www.rcdas.org, and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Email them with the animal’s ID number at shelterinfo@rivco.org and call (760) 343-3644. Located at 72050 Pet Land Place, Thousand Palms. (Public) PALM SPRINGS ANIMAL SHELTER –

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The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. They schedule appointments Wednesday through Monday, closed on Tuesday. View their animals online at www.psanimalsshelter. org, 4575 E. Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, (760) 416-5718. (Public) ANIMAL SAMARITANS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. View their animals at www. animalsamaritans.org. Email acorrow@ animalsamaritans.org to foster. Located at 72307 Ramon Rd, Thousand Palms, (760) 601-3918. (Private) CALIFORNIA PAWS RESCUE - The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 73650 Dinah Shore, Palm Desert. View their animals at www.californiapawsrescue. com, (760) 656-8833. (Private) HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE COACHELLA VALLEY – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt a dog or cat. View their animals at www.orphanpet. com. Located at 17825 N. Indian Canyon, Palm Springs, (760) 329-0203. (Private) KITTYLAND – The shelter is closed so call for an appointment to adopt a cat.

Located at 67600 18th Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, www.kittylandrescue.org, (760) 251-2700. (Private) FOREVER MEOW – Foster based rescue for cats located in Rancho Mirage.

Contact them through website www.

ForeverMeow.org, or call (760) 335-6767.

May 21 to May 27, 2020

(Private) LOVING ALL ANIMALS – The shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Located at 83496 Avenue 51, Coachella, www.lovingallanimals.org, (760) 834-7000. (Private) MORONGO BASIN HUMANE SOCIETY – Located at 4646 Sun View Rd, Joshua Tree, www.mbhumanesociety.com, call between 11am-4pm for updates (760) 366-3786 (Private) CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ANIMAL SHELTER – Shelter is closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt. Hours for adoption 10am – 4pm Tuesday thru Sat. Google “City of San Bernardino Animal Shelter” for website to view animals and get the ID number of the animal you want to meet. Located at 333 Chandler Place, San Bernardino, (909) 384-1304 or (909) 384-7272. (Public) SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER AT DEVORE – Shelter closed but you can call for an appointment to adopt.

Call (909) 386-9280 daily between 9am & 5pm. View animals at www.sbcounty.gov/ acc and get the ID number of animal you want to meet. Located at 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino (Public).

DREAM TEAM ANGELS RESCUE - Foster based rescue located in Grand Terrace/San Bernardino area. Contact them through website www.DreamTeamangelsrescue. com, (360) 688-8884. (Private)

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

W

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

THE VINO VOICE

ith the new normal in place, we wine columnists are taking the opportunity to ply our trade through virtual tastings with the winemakers.

And it’s as exactly as it sounds: we sample the winery’s proffered wines on this side of the computer, and, the winemaker samples along with us as he or she describes what it all took to make the wine—pretty cool!

Actually, this event I’m writing about was my first “Zoom” encounter. (And staying true to my age, of course I had my problems getting on-board). Anyway—I was privileged to receive some recent bottlings from Old Farm Vineyards in Lodi California with the opportunity to virtually meet with Dan Panella, Co-owner and Director of Wine Making, and their new star winemaker, Ms. Sierra Zeiter.

Oak Farm Vineyards was started in 2010 by Dan Panella, a third-generation farmer. It sits on a historical property originally purchased in 1860.

Dan’s vision was to put the Lodi Appellation on the map; he is focused on quality, not quantity.

The vineyards encompass 14 varietals grown over 70 acres. Sierra Zeiter came on-board three years ago as an assistant wine maker and now is the wine maker at the Lodi winery.

Quoting from my previous article on Lodi wine country, “it’s on the California wine map since the days of the Gold Rush, and, is home to some of the oldest Zinfandel vines in the world. Between the San Francisco Bay and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Lodi Wine Country, is a region emerging as one of California’s most exciting wine destinations.

So a couple of weeks ago, we wine journalists quickly zoomed-in and got to know Dan and Sierra as they spoke unpretentiously but

SEE SIERRA ZOOM IN AT OLD FARM

passionately on their wine making endeavors at Old Farm Vineyards. They are both driven on the concept of “quality over quantity” as they continue to experiment at every wine making turn with fermentations, yeasts, blends—you name it and they’re on it with the hard work and keeping it fun at the same time.’

And Sierra loves the plantation platform she’s been given, stating, “With 14 different varieties, I get to experiment and learn about all 14 grapes and wines. We do about five experiments each harvest to help better our wines so that the winemaking team can learn.”

Sierra was quick to point out that one of the reasons so many Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese varietals do so well in the Lodi region is because the vineyards are in the same latitudes.

When asked about the heat of the central valley, she commented that the Sacramento Delta has a very different character and style to the rest of the valley. The influence of the nearby San Francisco Bay provides cool “delta breezes” to the region with a reliable, natural air conditioning throughout the growing season; and, Lodi lies on higher hillside land in rich mineral soils washed down from the Sierras— these factors add to the fine quality of the wine.

Although raised in the Lodi region, Sierra

BY RICK RIOZZA

was not from a wine producing family.

However, a foodie she was and soon found the similarities in both cooking and the wine making process. At 15 years old she was smitten to be the best winemaker she could be. To pursue her wine making career, she attended California Polytechnic, San Luis Obispo, earning an undergraduate degree in enology. While attending college, she took every fall quarter off to work harvests and gain winemaking experience in regions, not only in Lodi but in Paso Robles and New Zealand as well.

Obviously, working in New Zealand, Sierra commented she gained great insight on the different styles simply in producing a Sauv blanc as the wine making team continue to increase the quality of their white wine these past three years.

And so we begin with a review of the 2019 Old Farm Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc. My concern was that I had just pulled it from the fridge and perhaps it would be too cold to really enjoy all the flavors I could. But no problems here; even as the wine warms in the Palm Springs weather, it continued to show classic Sauv blanc aromas of freshly cut grass & hay along with lime & citrus.

Crisp citrus flavors continued and merged with juicy tropical notes of guava and passion fruit.

On both sides of the computer, we all found the wine well balanced with a lingering finish. When

PANCAKE PICK-ME-UP: CHEEKY’S RE-OPENS FOR TAKE OUT WITH PANCAKE BREAKFAST BENEFIT FOR KEEP SHINING PALM SPRINGS

A

fter an eight-week COVID-19-induced closure, Cheeky’s reopens for takeout by hosting a pancake breakfast to benefit Keep Shining Palm Springs.

100% of the proceeds from pancake sales go to the fund aiding Coachella Valley small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Keep Shining has been hosting an online merchandise-based fundraising campaign (bit.ly/keepshiningpsp) and most products will be available for purchase on-site during the pancake breakfast. Small Businesses are welcome to apply for a grant from the group thru May 20.

WHEN: Saturday, May 23 & Sunday May 24, 9am-1pm WHERE: 622 North Palm Canyon Drive WHAT: A pancake breakfast-to-go with all proceeds benefiting non-profit Keep Shining Palm Springs.

Keep Shining merchandise will also be available for socially-distanced sale. “It’s been amazing to see the desert community of small business owners unite and support one another during these challenging times as both beneficiaries of the fund and friends/supporters of Keep Shining—truly illustrating the point that together is better.” - Ashley Busenius Coy ABOUT: Keep Shining Palm Springs is a

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California non-profit benefit corporation whose mission is to raise and distribute emergency funds to provide financial relief to small businesses and service workers located in the Coachella Valley during times of economic challenges and/or disasters.

The fund was founded during the outbreak of COVID-19 by Christine Soto, owner of Dead or Alive, and Ashley Busenius Coy and Glen Coy, owners of Windmill City Screen Printing, as they witnessed their community of Small Businesses in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley face immediate closure. With a lack of local aid and no-strings-attached funding, the concept of a grant for entrepreneurs in crisis was born. keepshiningpsp.com - #keepshiningpsp.

Cheeky’s arrived on the Palm Springs dining scene in 2008, sparking a revolution with its inventive menu that changes from week-toweek. Serving up creative meditations on breakfast and lunch, the restaurant has become an institution, attracting a faithful following for its commitment to making everything from scratch using only the freshest local ingredients.

Over a decade later, no visit to Palm Springs is complete without a visit to Cheeky’s to indulge in crowd favorites like their pleasantly sinful Bacon Flight and seriously yummy Buttermilk & Fresh

Corn Pancakes. cheekyspsp.com.

Dead or Alive is a locally owned and operated wine and beer bar turned wine shop on 150 E Palm Panyon Drive, Palm Springs CA, 92264 (next to El Mirasol South). Started by Palm Springs native, Christine Soto, Dead or Alive specializes in small production wine and craft beer. More at deadoralivebar.com - @deadoralivebar.com.

Since 2014, Windmill City has spent the better half of a decade helping businesses, organizations and events in the Coachella Valley and beyond represent their best selves through quality decorated goods. Born from a background in retail and hospitality, Windmill City’s business perspective and use of innovative and environmentally sensitive practices make them a unique resource in the community for screen printing, embroidery and custom merchandise.

More at windmillcityscreenprinting.com - @ windmillcityscreenprinting.

Christine Soto was born and raised in Palm Springs. She attended UCLA and remained in Los Angeles for a decade until she returned to Palm Springs in 2013 and opened Dead or Alive in 2015. She founded Palm Springs Wine Festival in 2018 which hosts a grand tasting of California Winemakers annually in December at Ace Hotel and Swim Club.

the bars open again here in Palm Springs, this wine should be pouring all about.

The next wine we sampled was the 2018 Old Farms Vineyard Albariño. This is when the Lodi region especially shines: a classic Spanish/ Portuguese varietal treating the locals! Sierra commented that although this grape grows exceedingly well in Lodi, it definitely is a handson process to pull through. Dan Panella finds it to be a “bridge wine” from a Sauv Blanc to a Chardonnay as far as marketing goes. This Lodi version has fresh notes of green apple and flinty sea-stone, with a bigger mouth feel than its Spanish cousin—with a touch more tropical notes as well.

The 2018 Old Farms Vineyards Rosé, Silvaspoons Vineyards, is a Provence style Grenache Noir rosé with aromas of grapefruit and melon with soft floral notes of jasmine and rose. On the palate the wine is very delicate and bright with flavors followed by a crisp acidity and a smooth finish. Very dry and very delicious!

The last wine we sampled was my sentimental favorite; 2017 Oak Farm Vineyards Barbera. I’ve always loved a California Barbera; and back in the day, Louis Martini produced a tasty one from the North Coast—where did those vineyards go?

Anyway—tasting Sierra’s version brought back those tasty memories—dark berries, plums, cherry jam with wonderful acidity. We enjoyed it with a New York steak—a fab pairing!

Please make yourself acquainted with this winery by going on line at oakfarmvineyards. com. We will definitely be visiting Oak Farm on our next wine tasting trip! Cheers!

GOOD GRUB

Ashley Busenius Coy was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. She attended the University of Victoria, worked and traveled throughout Asia post-graduation, where she met her partner, and relocated to the Coachella Valley in 2011. Since then, she has freelanced as a consultant aiding hospitality and retail businesses with marketing strategy and worked in Event Production, Marketing and Project Management for Ace Hotel. In 2019, Ashley joined her partner as co-owner of Windmill City Screen Printing— servicing small businesses, organizations and events in the Coachella Valley and beyond.

For further info, please reach out to: Christine Soto - Keep Shining Palm Springs / Dead or Alive christine.soto@gmail.com - 323-572-5702 Ashley Busenius Coy - Keep Shining Palm Springs / Windmill City Screen Printing abc@windmillcityscreenprinting.com 760.774.5252

BREWTALITY

W

hen I was eight years old, I wanted to make a club for kids who specifically loved Masters of the Universe lunch boxes, Weird Al’s second album, Biff from Back to the Future, and Samantha Fox’s denim jacket. To the shock of no one but myself, not a single kid in the third grade (or the entire island of Kauai for that matter) was interested in membership to my club, which was kinda niche when I think back on it. Meetings were short, seeing as how I was the only member, and I promptly gave up on my dreams. It would be two and a half decades before I ever was a part of a club again, one just as niche and just as cool. I joined the Coachella Valley Homebrew Club in 2012, and my life hasn’t been the same since.

Schmidy’s Tavern was a pub in the heart of Palm Desert, and was where the club hosted meetings when I first joined. Brewing stations would be set up out front on the patio, several propane burners all firing at once as multiple kettles of beer boiled, the members having their monthly brew day. The club hosted food and beer pairings at Schmidy’s Tavern, had a presence at the rare craft beer events held around the Coachella Valley, and even paired with the Palm Springs Annual Props and Hops festival to hold amateur homebrewer competitions. The Coachella Valley Homebrew Club would grow and shrink as the curious and casual came and went, but the club always managed to attract individuals who were passionate about learning to brew. It’s the passion of those members that helped to grow and shape the Coachella Valley’s craft beer scene into what it is today.

The Coachella Valley Homebrew Club has had many members go on to have careers in the craft beer industry. While this is by no

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HOW THE COACHELLA VALLEY HOMEBREW CLUB CHANGED THE VALLEY’S BEER SCENE

May 21 to May 27, 2020

BY DANIEL PARIS

means a comprehensive list, here are former and current homebrewers who have gone on to influence the local craft beer scene, and where they are now.

Brent Schmidman: The former owner of the aforementioned Schmidy’s Tavern was a member of the club from 2004 to 2009, hosting meetings, brew days, and beer pairings at his establishment. It should be noted that Schmidy’s Tavern was considered by many to have the best selection of craft beer in the valley during this time, and was the destination for many who craved a pint of something new and adventurous. Shmidman was no slouch when it came to brewing his own beer, winning many accolades for his creations, including four awards for one beer alone. After selling his pub, Shmidman held positions as the Director of Sales for Coachella Valley Brewing Company, VP of sales for Absolution Brewing, and was key in Erik DeBellis’s eventual move to Absolution. He’s now working on a distribution solution business for the brewing industry.

Chris Anderson: When Chris joined the homebrew club in 2007, he and founder Micah Stark sought to build the club into something recognizable, with a presence large enough to attract new people curious about brewing.

Teaming with Brent Schmidman was integral to that growth, building the club to have nearly 80 active, paying members at its peak. I was one of the new members attracted during this time; Chris was the president of the club when I joined, and his inviting correspondence made the idea of attending less intimidating. A highly decorated homebrewer with over 400 medals in competition, Chris was the most experienced brewer of the group, eventually founding the Coachella Valley Brewing Company, and winning medals at GABF, California State Fair, LA International, and SD International for his work there. Chris has since opened other breweries, and now owns and operates Anderson Brewing Consultation, providing valuable insight to new and struggling brewers.

Brett Newton: Brett Newton was involved with the club from 2011 to 2017, holding positions as president and vice-president and was a presence at all of the meetings during my time of involvement. Choosing to rarely enter competitions, he medaled gold when

he did, winning big in 2014 for a wood-aged barleywine he created as tribute to his English grandfather. Brett holds the distinction of being the Coachella Valley’s only known certified cicerone, and has been involved with the Coachella Valley Brewing Company since its inception. He writes, Caesar Cervisia, a monthly column for CV Independent that offers education and insight into the history and culture of craft beer.

Aaron Ramson: Hi, that’s me. My involvement with the club was from 2012 to 2015, never holding any positions, but winning 7 silver and bronze medals in various style competitions. Attending club meetings and events was vital to my befriending fellow homebrewers who influenced my decision to enter the brewing industry. In 2015 I became the assistant brewer at Babe’s Brewhouse, taking over for the exiting Erik DeBellis, who would eventually become head brewer at Absolution Brewing Company. 2 ½ years of brewing for Babe’s gave me the confidence to take a lead role, and when the then-new Brewcaipa Brewery was looking for a head brewer, Chris Anderson referred me to the position. I’ve been writing a craft beer column for CV Weekly since January 2018, with this issue marking my 118th contribution.

Erik DeBellis: Erik also joined the homebrew club in 2012, quickly amassing dozens of medals in style competitions. Well known for his ability to brew small batches of outstanding IPAs, he quickly turned pro, taking a job at CVB in 2013 before becoming Babe’s assistant brewer in 2014. A stint highlighted by helping Babe’s to win best California brewery in 2015, Debellis would relocate to the Los Angeles area to further his career. He currently resides as head brewer at the Absolution Brewing Company, helping them to rebrand and relaunch their product line.

Juan Higaroa: A member of the club from 2014 to 2017, even holding the title as club president for a turn. Like DeBellis, Juan made a name for himself quickly, medaling over stiff competition at Hanger 24’s 2016 homebrew contest, and showing remarkable brewing skill. He began work as the assistant brewer for Coachella Valley Brewing Company, and a short year later was promoted to head brewer.

BY AARON RAMSON 2019 saw a big shuffle in the desert’s craft beer community, as breweries traded brewers like it was the NBA draft, and Juan found a new home creating beer for Babe’s Brewhouse.

Dario Guerra: A member of the homebrew club from 2011-2014, Dario utilized his time in the Coachella valley club to learn the finer points of brewing from then president Chris Anderson, before leaving to cofound the Mojave Desert Homebrewers Guild. Dario earned close to a dozen awards in various competitions, showing his versatility as he medaled in various style categories. He recently cofounded the Joshua Tree Brewery, which makes a point not to utilize bulky glass or disposable products in its operation. Dario continues to foster a sense of community for craft beer lovers in the high desert and Joshua Tree areas.

Joshua Kunkle: The longest running active member, Josh’s enthusiasm and immediate involvement kept the club running even when times were lean. He joined the club during its 2013 boom, winning best of show in that year’s Prop’s and Hop’s competition, and winning another best of show in 2017 at the Rhythm and Brews competition for his original recipes. Competitions and friendly rivalries are common amongst regional clubs; Kunkle represented his team well in winning a bronze medal between a showdown with Inland Empire regional clubs. Kunkle has been the longest running president of the Coachella Valley Homebrew Club, collaborating several times with valley breweries in coming up with special and limited releases.

There are many who choose to join a homebrew club to make friends, have fun, learn a new skill, and have no desire to make it into a career. One of the best home brewers I’ve ever met is a pharmacist (here’s looking at you, Jose Lopez), his passion for brewing cannot be denied once you’ve tried the beer that he creates in his garage. If you have any interest in brewing for fun, the club is there for that reason. They can be contacted at facebook.com/coachellavalleyhomebrewclub for more info on brewing, activities, and membership.

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

HADDON LIBBY

HOOVER 2.0

D

ue to the global economic shutdown, it is increasingly likely that the United States is entering only its second depression in 150 years. The depth of this economic decline will be decided in large part by the actions of our elected leaders over the next few months.

To understand the difference between a depression and a recession, a depression is the contraction in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by at least 10%. The Atlanta Federal Reserve office estimates that GDP could contract by more than 40% in the 2nd quarter while Goldman Sachs is predicting a 39% slide. For comparison, a recession is a less severe contraction in GDP for a shorter period of time.

During depressions, there are large increases in unemployment. According to state unemployment records, the Coachella Valley has seen unemployment increase to 32% of the workforce. As a reminder, during the depths of the Great Recession of a decade ago, the unemployment rate peaked at 20% in the Coachella Valley. While our country may not have been in a technical depression a decade ago, the Coachella Valley was.

As we have already seen with JC Penney, Neiman Marcus and The Gap, bankruptcies go up during a depression. We can expect to see municipalities domestically and nations globally defaulting on their debts. Areas reliant on tourism will be hit disproportionately hard.

Due to the massive expansion of government debt levels, we can expect our currency value to decline. This means that what we buy from countries with stronger financial conditions will become more expensive. During periods like these, asset prices become more volatile. The price of oil is a perfect example of this phenomenon in

action.

While the price of imports can be expected to increase, the mix of lower GDP and bankruptcies will keep prices low in the nearterm. By adding so much debt at the federal level, we can expect to see the US dollar decline in value which will eventually lead to inflation. People typically think of inflation in terms of higher interest rates. Due to the extraordinary actions taken by the Federal Reserve to keep our economy stable and interest rates low, inflation is more likely to show up in the cost of goods like food. Lower GDP and increased debt will also negatively impact the ability of the economy to grow.

To avoid a depression in our region, we would need to find a way to offset the lost revenue from lower tourism and the cancellation of major events like Coachella and Stagecoach. Without an alternative revenue source, it is difficult to see the return to past economic activity in our region until a vaccine or treatment is available. Given that the virus has caused significant economic damage globally, it will take some time for tourism to return to pre-pandemic levels.

In closing, we should be concerned by

DALEGRIBOW ON THELAW

President Trump’s stated desire to impose strict new tariffs on Chinese goods. A look at the 1929 Depression finds that economic protectionism laws passed under President Hoover served to make the Depression worse.

While we may be upset with China for several their actions, now is most certainly not the time to act.

As an example, eight months into the Hoover presidency, the stock market crashed.

To fight declines in our national GDP, two Republican senators wrote and passed the Smoot-Hawley Act. This act raised taxes on imports which caused foreign countries to avoid our goods at the time when our economy needed these purchases most. The effort to help American business served to make things

worse. From 1929 to 1933, American imports fell by two-thirds to $1.5 billion while exports fell 61% to $2.1 billion. Meanwhile European exports to the United States fell by $1.5 billion to $400 million while our exports to Europe fell by a corresponding amount to $800 million. Globally trade declined by two-thirds from 1929 to 1933.

Fast forward 90 years and the American economy generated nearly $2 trillion in GDP per month prior to the shutdown. For the second quarter, a 40% decline would drop output to $1.2 trillion.

The next few months will be critical in determining how bad the depression will be.

As our economy is heavily reliant on tourism, expect our emergence from the shutdown to be slower and more difficult than other areas of the United States. While we should all hope and pray for a speedy return to whatever the new normal will be, we need to face the reality that we are entering a period of time that could be some of the most difficult of our lifetimes.

Haddon Libby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Winslow Drake Investment Management. For more information, email Hlibby@WinslowDrake.com or visit www.

WinslowDrake.com.

LEGAL REPRESENTATION OF THE INJURED & CRIMINALLY ACCUSED

DUI? BEING BELOW A .08 WON'T SAVE YOU

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here is some attempted legislation calling for a .05 to be the national legal limit throughout the USA. However today it is .08 is most states. Many drivers mistakenly believe that as long as they are below .08 they are in the clear. However, an arrest could still take place if some of these factors are present: The DA would argue that you were DUI at the time you were driving...and not consider the time of the test.

Even the most skilled and experienced prosecutors in every state, will find it tricky to establish impairment if your official BAC at the time of your <https://www.arizdui.com/ arizona-dui-defense/consequences-of-a-firstoffense-dui-in-arizona/> DUI arrest stands at way below 0.08 percent.

However, if you register a BAC of at least 0.07 percent or anything closer to 0.08, the prosecutor could claim that the passage of time has caused your BAC to fall and that the alcohol level in your blood was actually above

20

the legal limit when you were driving.

You should also keep in mind that juries typically frown upon DUI's and Domestic Violence cases. Jurors will likely pronounce you guilty if there is strong evidence of impairment, even when your case revolves around a BAC that's below the legal limit.

Zero tolerance laws A minor can't have any real alcohol in his/ her system and an arrest will lead to California's DMV suspending the driver's license for a year under the Zero tolerance laws. A drivers with children in the car will be treated more harshly yet.

Breathalyzer false positives Breathalyzers are usually reliable, but they're far from perfect. It is possible to blow into the breathalyzer and get a BAC much higher than the real alcohol levels in your blood because of a false positives.

A BAC's false positive readings could occur from having a drink shortly before getting into the car and where there may be a lot of

alcohol residue in your mouth. If you just had a tooth pulled it could be in the hole. Being a device designed to read deep breath lung samples, a breathalyzer will surely pick up any trace of alcohol in your mouth. The result, of course, would be a very inaccurate reading that is much higher than your actual BAC. If your BAC breaches the 0.08 mark, you will be arrested and charged with a DUI right away. It may be true that you have a good chance of getting off the hook if you had a skilled and experienced DUI attorney by your side. Still, the expense, inconvenience, and embarrassment of being arrested and prosecuted for DUI make that one drink you had before getting behind the wheel so not worth it, even when it's the breathalyzer's fault.

Considering that you can still be the subject of a DUI arrest and prosecution with a BAC below the legal limit, why drink at all when you drive? Take an Uber, Lyft or Taxi. They are a lot cheaper than calling me.

If you are arrested cut out this card and give it to the arresting officer. But remember When stopped for a DUI, the Officer asks the driver to exit the vehicle & asks questions which you don't have to answer. Most drivers (and lawyers) don't know the Breath Test and Field Sobriety Test (FST) at the scene are OPTIONAL. These tests can only hurt the driver's case.

It is arguable that taking a Blood Test at the police station or hospital is preferable.

Many believe with the passage of time the reading will decrease by the time the blood is drawn...........unless the driver just chugged a drink and the alcohol had not yet gotten into the blood system. The average driver is not aware that it takes about an hour for the alcohol to go into your blood stream and an hour to come out............but now YOU DO! SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE ARTICLES? CONTACT DALE GRIBOW 760-837-7500/ dale@dalegribowlaw.com.

MIND,BODY & SPIRIT

BY DEE JAE COX

www.coachellavalleyweekly.com

BY BRONWYN ISON

WILLPOWER: YOU’VE GOT THIS!

A

s time continues to pass during quarantine, I believe the time that we have now should be utilized with full and positive intentions. It’s easy to go down the rabbit hole and wonder what will happen and what’s next. Stop! If you haven’t already, begin using this downtime to figure out what is next.

For me, I’ve enrolled in some online courses. I’m reevaluating my business. I’m spending more time learning new recipes. I have more quality time with my daughters.

What can you do with your time?

Your goal may be to lose weight, exercise 4+ times per week, eat healthier, journal everyday, etc. If these will be new habits you’re introducing into your life it may be best to not get over zealous. Changing your diet can be very challenging especially if you’ve not had the greatest eating habits. If you’re exercising two days a week and want to workout at least five, add an extra day in the first two weeks and grow from there. I think you get the gist. Changing your habits will require willpower!

Another suggestion… as harsh as this

may sound… you need to excuse yourself from any negative atmospheres. If you have a toxic friend who only makes you feel worse about yourself, or life, then it’s time to spend less or no time at all with this person or people. You may be in a workplace that’s negative. Do your best to dismiss yourself from your work with small breaks that can can help alleviate the pressures.

Willpower is knowing you can achieve something all on your own. With more selfcontrol we can avoid so much negativity that we often bring on ourselves. Imagine if you had greater willpower to truly say no!

You can avoid a lot of poor mistakes.

Remember, you make the final decision.

Do what serves you and the others around you best. Here’s to your incredible WILLPOWER! Bronwyn Ison is the owner of www.evolveyoga.com and www.evolveyogaonline. com.

On Demand Yoga classes. Visit my YouTube Channel, Bronwyn Ison for FREE Yoga videos. Join my FREE Wellness Guide, www.e-volveyoga.com.

May 21 to May 27, 2020

FREEWILL ASTROLOGY

WEEK OF MAY 21

ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Excellence does not require perfection,” wrote Aries author Henry James. Now I’m conveying this brilliant counsel to you—just in time for the season when it will make good sense to strive for shining excellence without getting bogged down in a debilitating quest for perfection. Have fun re-committing yourself to doing the best you can, Aries, even as you refuse to be tempted by the unprofitable lure of absolute purity and juvenile forms of idealism.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): To generate an ounce of pure cocaine, you must collect 52 pounds of raw coca leaf and work hard to transform it. But please don’t do that. Fate won’t be on your side if you do. However, I will suggest that you consider undertaking a metaphorically comparable process— by gathering a sizable amount of raw material or basic stuff that will be necessary to produce the small treasure or precious resource that you require.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for,” writes author Barbara Kingsolver. “And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof.”

According to my analysis of the astrological omens, that is exactly the work you should be doing right now, Gemini. Everything good that can and should happen for you in the coming months depends on you defining what you hope for, and then doing whatever’s necessary to live inside that hope.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): The periodic arrivals of “natural disruption” in our everyday routines has a divine purpose, writes Yoruba priest Awó Falokun Fatunmbi. It is “to shake consciousness loose from complacency and rigid thinking.” To be vital, he says, our perception of truth must be constantly evolving, and never stagnant. “Truth is a way of looking at self and World,” Fatunmbi declares. “It is a state of being rather than an act of knowing.” Many Westerners find this hard to understand because they regard truth as a “fixed set of rules or dogma,” or as a body of “objective facts.” But here’s the good news: Right now, you Cancerians are especially receptive to Fatunmbi’s alternative understanding of truth—and likely to thrive by adopting it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Novelist and war correspondent Martha Gellhorn departed this life in 1998, but she articulated a message that’s important for you to hear right now. She wrote, “People often say, with pride, ‘I’m not interested in politics.’

They might as well say, ‘I’m not interested in my standard of living, my health, my job, my rights, my freedoms, my future or any future.’” Gelhorn added, “If we mean to keep control over our world and lives, we must be interested in politics.” In my opinion, her advice is always applicable to all of us, but it’s especially crucial for you to meditate on right now. You’ll be wise to upgrade your interest and involvement in the big cultural and political developments that are impacting your personal destiny.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): According to author and teacher Marianne Williamson, “Ego says, ‘Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel peace.’ Spirit says, ‘Find your peace, and then everything will fall into place.’” I think the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to take Williamson’s advice seriously, Virgo. How? By giving control of your life to Spirit as you find your peace. In saying this, I’m not implying that Ego is bad or wrong. In fact, I think Ego is a crucial asset for you, and I’m hoping that in recent months you have been lifting your Ego to a higher, finer state of confidence and competence than ever before. But right now I think you should authorize Spirit to run the show for a while. If you do, it will bless you with good surprises.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “Snatching the eternal out of the desperately fleeting is the great magic trick of human existence.” Playwright Tennessee Williams said that, and now I’m conveying his insight to you—just in time for you to dramatically embody it. According to my astrological analysis, you now

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have more power than usual to accomplish this magic trick: to create something permanent in the midst of the transitory; to make an indelible mark on a process that has previously been characterized by restless permutations; to initiate a bold move that you will forever remember and be remembered for.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the course of his 73 years on the planet, Scorpio author Paul Valéry (1871–1945) wrote more than 20 books. But between the ages of 25 and 45, he passed through a phase he called the “great silence.” During that time, he quit writing and published nothing. Afterwards, he returned to his life’s work and was nominated 12 times for a Nobel Prize. Although your own version of a great silence is less extreme than his, I’m happy to announce that you will emerge from it sooner than you imagine.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I’m sad that my two favorite 19th-century poets were unfamiliar with each other’s poetry. Walt Whitman was 11 years older than Emily Dickinson, but didn’t know her work. Dickinson had heard of Whitman, but didn’t read his stuff. Their styles were indeed very different: hers intimate, elliptical, psychologically acute; his expansive, gregarious, earthy. But they were alike in being the most innovative American poets of their time, and equally transgressive in their disregard for standard poetic forms. If there were such a thing as time travel, I’d send one of you Sagittarians back to set up a meeting between them.

Acts of innovative blending and creative unifying will be your specialties in the coming weeks.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The fictional character Sherlock Holmes (born January 6, and thus a Capricorn) is a brilliant logician and acute observer who has astonishing crime-solving skills. On the other hand, according to his friend Dr. Watson, he “knows next to nothing” about “contemporary literature, philosophy, and politics.” So he’s not a well-rounded person. He’s smart in some ways, dumb in others. Most of us fit that description. We are both brilliant and ignorant; talented and inept; interesting and boring. According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to hone and cultivate the less mature aspects of your own nature. I bet you’ll reap rich rewards by doing so.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): “People become like what they love,” observed theologian St. Catherine of Siena. That’ll be an interesting truth for you to meditate on in the coming weeks. I suspect you will attract experiences that are clear reflections of the kind of love you have cultivated and expressed for quite some time. You’ll be blessed in ways similar to the ways you have blessed. You’ll be challenged to face questions about love that you have not been dealing with. And here’s a promise for the future: You’ll have the opportunity to refine and deepen your approach to love so as to transform yourself into more of the person you’d like to become.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): “Humanity is a mystery,” wrote author Fyodor Dostoevsky. “The mystery needs to be unraveled, and if you spend your whole life unraveling it, you haven’t wasted your time. I am studying that mystery because I want to be a complete human being.” I love this tender perspective on the preciousness of the Great Riddle we’re all immersed in. It’s especially useful and apropos for you to adopt right now, Pisces, because you are undergoing an unusually deep and intense communion with the mystery. As you marinate, you shouldn’t measure your success and good fortune by how much new understanding you have attained, but rather by how much reverence and gratitude you feel and how stirring your questions are.

Homework: Is there anything about your experience of the global pandemic that you enjoy?

RealAstrology.com ---------------------------------------Rob Brezsny - Free Will Astrology freewillastrology@freewillastrology.com

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May 21 to May 27, 2020

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